Pericoronitis

Pericoronitis (also known as operculitis, and derived from Greek peri, "around", Latin corona "crown" and -itis, meaning a disease involving inflammation), is inflammation of the soft tissues surrounding the crown of a partially erupted tooth, including the gingiva (gums) and the dental follicle. Most commonly pericoronitis occurs with a partially erupted or partially erupted and impacted mandibular third molar (lower wisdom tooth). Periocoronitis is a common dental problem, often occurring in young adults (15-24), since this is roughly the age when the wisdom teeth are erupting into the mouth .